Ashley Bloomfield's resignation hasn't come as a thunderbolt.

The Director-General of Health has announced he'll step down from the role in July, well ahead of his term's official end in June next year.

An acting Director-General of Health will be appointed before he leaves.

Political editor Barry Soper told Kerre Woodham it's been a hell of a job.

“It’s virtually 24/7. He’s had to front the pulpit of truth with the Prime Minister ever since this broke out two years ago.”

Soper says there are more than a dozen deputies who could fill the role and the most likely contender is the DHB support and Infrastructure Deputy Chief Executive Officer Robyn Shearer.

“But in this, who knows? Because it may be that Peter Hughes, who’s the don of the public service if you like, may look for total new leadership.”

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